The Burma Rifles, a Gallery of Photographs
From the book 'March or Die', by Philip D. Chinnery:
The 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles was comprised of native Burmese troops led by British officers, most of whom were already working in Burma when war broke out. They knew the countryside and they spoke the language of their men.
Wingate later stated that they were the finest men that he had ever had under his command in the field. Their forte was reconnaissance. Carrying out patrols in enemy territory, gathering local intelligence, handling boats and living off the countryside were all tasks at which the Burmese hillmen excelled. They were also very loyal to their officers and a bond existed between officers and men that has no comparison in the British Army regimental system.
Their commander was Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Grier Wheeler, who would be posthumously awarded the DSO after being killed by a sniper some months later, on the way back to India. The battalion would win two DSOs, one MBE, one Order of Burma, seven Military Crosses, twenty-one Burma Gallantry Medals (equivalent to the Distinguished Conduct Medal or the Indian Order of Merit) and twenty-seven Mentions in Despatches.
Towards the end of the operation, after Wingate ordered his Brigade to disperse and return in small groups to India, the 'Burrifs' came into their own, scouting for the enemy, walking alone into villages in search of food and seeking out boats with which to cross the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers.
A surviving member of Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters from 1943 recalled the moment the Brigadier broke his HQ up into small dispersal parties. Pte. Fred Holloman remembered:
There were about 25 men in my dispersal party, mostly British troops. Luckily, we had two Burmese soldiers with us, we called them 'Burrifs', which is just the title Burma Rifles squashed up into one word. Well, we would have been lost without them as none of us could speak Burmese and they would go into the villages for us and get us food and find out if there were any Japs nearby.
A couple of times there were Japs in these villages and we would have a bit of a scrap. The 'Burrifs' were very brave and got many of the 13th King's out to safety in 1943. In the end we decided to push up North into the Kachin territory, these people were always friendly towards us and still supported the British in Burma.
Featured below are some photographs depicting the men of the 2nd Battalion, the Burma Rifles. Please click on any image to bring it forward from the page.
The 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles was comprised of native Burmese troops led by British officers, most of whom were already working in Burma when war broke out. They knew the countryside and they spoke the language of their men.
Wingate later stated that they were the finest men that he had ever had under his command in the field. Their forte was reconnaissance. Carrying out patrols in enemy territory, gathering local intelligence, handling boats and living off the countryside were all tasks at which the Burmese hillmen excelled. They were also very loyal to their officers and a bond existed between officers and men that has no comparison in the British Army regimental system.
Their commander was Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Grier Wheeler, who would be posthumously awarded the DSO after being killed by a sniper some months later, on the way back to India. The battalion would win two DSOs, one MBE, one Order of Burma, seven Military Crosses, twenty-one Burma Gallantry Medals (equivalent to the Distinguished Conduct Medal or the Indian Order of Merit) and twenty-seven Mentions in Despatches.
Towards the end of the operation, after Wingate ordered his Brigade to disperse and return in small groups to India, the 'Burrifs' came into their own, scouting for the enemy, walking alone into villages in search of food and seeking out boats with which to cross the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers.
A surviving member of Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters from 1943 recalled the moment the Brigadier broke his HQ up into small dispersal parties. Pte. Fred Holloman remembered:
There were about 25 men in my dispersal party, mostly British troops. Luckily, we had two Burmese soldiers with us, we called them 'Burrifs', which is just the title Burma Rifles squashed up into one word. Well, we would have been lost without them as none of us could speak Burmese and they would go into the villages for us and get us food and find out if there were any Japs nearby.
A couple of times there were Japs in these villages and we would have a bit of a scrap. The 'Burrifs' were very brave and got many of the 13th King's out to safety in 1943. In the end we decided to push up North into the Kachin territory, these people were always friendly towards us and still supported the British in Burma.
Featured below are some photographs depicting the men of the 2nd Battalion, the Burma Rifles. Please click on any image to bring it forward from the page.
Back Row:- Lt. A.G. Martin-Pereira, Lt. A. Plumb, Lt. W.F.H. Ansell, Lt. Son Kho Pao, Capt. Y.V. Barr, Lt. Nyunt Lwin, Lt. J. Hla Shein, Lt. Mg Tut, Capt. T.G. Hunter, Capt. J.E. Ady, Capt. A.E. Ady, Capt. J.J. Rainey, Lt. Sohan Singh, Lt. H.G. Munro, Lt. H.A. Roberts, Lt. F.W. Pais, Lt. A.W.J. Mullerworth, Lt. A.B.J. Lynn, Lt. Nang Zing Naw Lah, Lt. G.A. Hyde, Lt. G.N. Hogan.
Middle Row:- Cap.t A.M. Smart, Capt. B.T. Lidbetter, Capt. Kasim Shah, Capt. Sein Tun, Capt. Saw Lader, Capt. D. Talmadge, Lt. D.R. Sen Gupta, Lt. Hrang Thio, Capt. P.B. Neale, Capt. F.B. Newbould, Capt. C.A. Steevens, Capt. J.F. Robertson, Capt. G.B. Down, Capt. H.S. Bourne, Capt. W.D. Hardless M.C., Lt. Dal Za Kam, Lt. J.C.G. Da. San Marino, Lt. Thompson, Capt. J.W. Eadon, Lt. Lian Nawn, Lt. P.T. Fforde.
Front Row:- Capt. J.M. Breckenridge, Capt. A.C. Gowan, Capt. N.G. Watson, Capt. L.H. Low, Major G.S. Neville, Major W.R. Andrews, Major J.H. Gemmell, Major M.A. Freshney, Lt.- Col. P.C. Buchanan MC, Major W.D. Griffiths MC, Major R.S. Carey OBE, Major H.W.P. Graham, Capt. F.W. Burn, Capt. Chit Khin MC, Captain P.A.M. Heald, Capt. E.J. Edwards, Capt. J.B. Harman.
Middle Row:- Cap.t A.M. Smart, Capt. B.T. Lidbetter, Capt. Kasim Shah, Capt. Sein Tun, Capt. Saw Lader, Capt. D. Talmadge, Lt. D.R. Sen Gupta, Lt. Hrang Thio, Capt. P.B. Neale, Capt. F.B. Newbould, Capt. C.A. Steevens, Capt. J.F. Robertson, Capt. G.B. Down, Capt. H.S. Bourne, Capt. W.D. Hardless M.C., Lt. Dal Za Kam, Lt. J.C.G. Da. San Marino, Lt. Thompson, Capt. J.W. Eadon, Lt. Lian Nawn, Lt. P.T. Fforde.
Front Row:- Capt. J.M. Breckenridge, Capt. A.C. Gowan, Capt. N.G. Watson, Capt. L.H. Low, Major G.S. Neville, Major W.R. Andrews, Major J.H. Gemmell, Major M.A. Freshney, Lt.- Col. P.C. Buchanan MC, Major W.D. Griffiths MC, Major R.S. Carey OBE, Major H.W.P. Graham, Capt. F.W. Burn, Capt. Chit Khin MC, Captain P.A.M. Heald, Capt. E.J. Edwards, Capt. J.B. Harman.
These larger group photographs can also be seen on the websites of Steve Rothwell and the Anglo-Burmese Library by following the links below:
http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/burmaweb/2ndburma.htm
http://www.angloburmeselibrary.com/the-war-against-japan.html
Seen below is another group photograph taken at a similar time to the others shown above. This particular image can be viewed in much more clarity on the websites previously mentioned.
http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/burmaweb/2ndburma.htm
http://www.angloburmeselibrary.com/the-war-against-japan.html
Seen below is another group photograph taken at a similar time to the others shown above. This particular image can be viewed in much more clarity on the websites previously mentioned.
The next image was taken in Burma during Operation Longcloth. It shows three members of Chindit Column 5 at the village of Tigyaing which was situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy. From left to right as we look; Rifleman Maung Kyan, Lieutenant Tommy Blow, formerly of the 14th Punjabis before his posting to the 13th King's and Lieutenant Jim Harman, the Commando Platoon officer in 5 Column.
The following gallery shows four officers from the ranks of the 2nd Burma Rifles who served on Operation Longcloth in 1943. Firstly, Captain John Coleridge Fraser MC, Burma Rifles Platoon commander in 5 Column. Once again this photograph was probably taken in the village of Tigyaing in early March 1943 and shows one of the village Headmen and a Burma Rifleman.
The second photograph is of Captain Aung Thin who served in Wingate's own Brigade Head Quarters as Liaison Officer to the Brigadier. He and Wingate swam the Chindwin River together in late April 1943, regaining the safety of Allied Lines. The third photo is Captain George Henry Astell of 7 Column, seen here speaking with Wingate just before Operation Longcloth began. The final image shows, Lieutenant James MacPherson who served as lead scout in the 2nd Burma Rifles Head Quarters in 1943. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The second photograph is of Captain Aung Thin who served in Wingate's own Brigade Head Quarters as Liaison Officer to the Brigadier. He and Wingate swam the Chindwin River together in late April 1943, regaining the safety of Allied Lines. The third photo is Captain George Henry Astell of 7 Column, seen here speaking with Wingate just before Operation Longcloth began. The final image shows, Lieutenant James MacPherson who served as lead scout in the 2nd Burma Rifles Head Quarters in 1943. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The next gallery shows; Captain Peter Carstairs Buchanan MC, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and commander of the battalion after the tragic death of Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Grier Wheeler in early April 1943. Captain William Douglas Griffiths MC; Taffy Griffiths was commander of the Burma Rifles platoon for Chindit Column 3 on Operation Longcloth. His own commanding officer, Major Mike Calvert could not speak more highly about his Reconnaissance Officer and the work he achieved in Burma that year. For his efforts, Calvert recommended Griffiths be awarded the Military Cross.
The third photograph shows Lieutenant Jim Harman and two other members of Special Service Detachment 1 and was taken in early 1942. The mission was a pre-cursor to the Chindit expeditions and involved the training of Chinese troops and clandestine operations against the Japanese in the Yunnan Province. Harman served with 5 Column in 1943 and was seconded to the Burma Rifles the following year. Lastly, an image of Lieutenant Malcolm A. Freshney, commander of the Burma Rifles section in Chindit Column 1 in 1943. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The third photograph shows Lieutenant Jim Harman and two other members of Special Service Detachment 1 and was taken in early 1942. The mission was a pre-cursor to the Chindit expeditions and involved the training of Chinese troops and clandestine operations against the Japanese in the Yunnan Province. Harman served with 5 Column in 1943 and was seconded to the Burma Rifles the following year. Lastly, an image of Lieutenant Malcolm A. Freshney, commander of the Burma Rifles section in Chindit Column 1 in 1943. Please click on any image to bring it forward on the page.
The next four photographs are:
Lieutenant P.A.M. Heald, who served on Operation Longcloth in 5 Column as second Burma Rifles officer to Captain John Coleridge Fraser. After the war Lieutenant Heald enjoyed a successful career in the Prison and Reform system.
Major Neville Hogan MBE. Born in Burma to an Irish father and Burmese mother, Neville helped the returning Chindits in 1943 as they struggled to re-cross the Chindwin River. He went on to serve throughout the rest of the campaign in Burma and carried out many important scouting missions behind enemy lines. After the war he moved to England and became, along with his wife, Glory, one of the driving forces behind the Chindit Old Comrades Association and other Burma associated organisations in Britain. Neville sadly passed away in April 2012, his memory is still very much with us.
Jon Musgrave-Wood served on both Chindit expeditions attached to the Burma Rifles. In 1943 he was with 7 Column under the command of Major Kenneth Gilkes. My own grandfather was placed into Musgrave-Wood's dispersal party in April 1943 and began to move east to exit Burma via the Chinese Yunnan Borders. Sadly, granddad and his comrades chose to leave this group and were later captured by the Japanese in mid-May. Jon Musgrave-Wood found fame after the war as caricature artist 'Emmwood'.
Jemadar Lian Nawn served on both Chindit expeditions, being awarded the Burma Gallantry Medal in 1943 and then the Military Cross in 1944. His medal recommendations can be seen on the Burma Rifle citations page here: Burma Rifle Citations
Lieutenant P.A.M. Heald, who served on Operation Longcloth in 5 Column as second Burma Rifles officer to Captain John Coleridge Fraser. After the war Lieutenant Heald enjoyed a successful career in the Prison and Reform system.
Major Neville Hogan MBE. Born in Burma to an Irish father and Burmese mother, Neville helped the returning Chindits in 1943 as they struggled to re-cross the Chindwin River. He went on to serve throughout the rest of the campaign in Burma and carried out many important scouting missions behind enemy lines. After the war he moved to England and became, along with his wife, Glory, one of the driving forces behind the Chindit Old Comrades Association and other Burma associated organisations in Britain. Neville sadly passed away in April 2012, his memory is still very much with us.
Jon Musgrave-Wood served on both Chindit expeditions attached to the Burma Rifles. In 1943 he was with 7 Column under the command of Major Kenneth Gilkes. My own grandfather was placed into Musgrave-Wood's dispersal party in April 1943 and began to move east to exit Burma via the Chinese Yunnan Borders. Sadly, granddad and his comrades chose to leave this group and were later captured by the Japanese in mid-May. Jon Musgrave-Wood found fame after the war as caricature artist 'Emmwood'.
Jemadar Lian Nawn served on both Chindit expeditions, being awarded the Burma Gallantry Medal in 1943 and then the Military Cross in 1944. His medal recommendations can be seen on the Burma Rifle citations page here: Burma Rifle Citations
Saw Butler (pictured below) worked around the fringes of the Chindits in 1943/44, but did most of his valuable work with the Kachin Levies and under the auspices of SOE (Special Operations Executive) in 1945. He led small groups of Levies against the Japanese, in particular during the enemy's final and disastrous retreat from Burma after the battles at Imphal and Kohima.
The next set of photographs are:
Havildar-Major Sa Baw Gam of Z Force. This man worked in the Kachin Hills with Major Herbert Castens in the pre-operational reconnaissance for the first Chindit expedition.
Captain Sao Man Hpa, who served in Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters in 1943. Sao Man Hpa was actually a Shan Prince and performed the role of Propaganda Officer in 1943, broadcasting pro-British information to Burmese villages during the operation.
Major Saw Butler; worked around the fringes of the Chindits in 1943/44, but did most of his valuable work with the Kachin Levies and under the auspices of SOE (Special Operations Executive). This image was taken during his time on Operation 'Character' in 1945.
Rifleman 3823 Tun Tin of Chindit Column 8 on Operation Longcloth. Tun Tin (pictured front right wearing the headband) was suffering badly with malaria by late April 1943. He was one of the fortunate men flown out of Burma, when a Dakota plane was able to land in a large open clearing, later to be nicknamed 'Piccadilly'.
Havildar-Major Sa Baw Gam of Z Force. This man worked in the Kachin Hills with Major Herbert Castens in the pre-operational reconnaissance for the first Chindit expedition.
Captain Sao Man Hpa, who served in Wingate's Brigade Head Quarters in 1943. Sao Man Hpa was actually a Shan Prince and performed the role of Propaganda Officer in 1943, broadcasting pro-British information to Burmese villages during the operation.
Major Saw Butler; worked around the fringes of the Chindits in 1943/44, but did most of his valuable work with the Kachin Levies and under the auspices of SOE (Special Operations Executive). This image was taken during his time on Operation 'Character' in 1945.
Rifleman 3823 Tun Tin of Chindit Column 8 on Operation Longcloth. Tun Tin (pictured front right wearing the headband) was suffering badly with malaria by late April 1943. He was one of the fortunate men flown out of Burma, when a Dakota plane was able to land in a large open clearing, later to be nicknamed 'Piccadilly'.
The following group of photographs are:
Captain Saw Chit Kyin MC. This Karen born Burma Rifles officer was commander of the Guerrilla Platoon in Chindit Column 1 on Operation Longcloth. He went on to serve with the 2nd Battalion, the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment in second Chindit operation in 1944, this unit were part of Bernard Fergusson's 16th British Infantry Brigade.
Havildar Sein-U. This soldier went on to serve with the Kachin Levies in 1944. He returned from Operation Longcloth via Fort Hertz in September 1943, over 8 weeks later than many of his Chindit comrades. To read more about Sein U, please click on the following link and scroll down to the appropriate section on the page: Burma Rifle Citations
Lieutenant Ba Gyaw. Served with SOE during the Burma Campaign and was dropped behind enemy lines to help Major Seagrim and his Karen Levies in their resistance against the Japanese. Ba Gyaw was captured by the Japanese and executed alongside Major Seagrim at Kemmendine Cemetery (Rangoon) on the 14th September 1944.
Major Cecil Arthur Steevens MBE. This officer served with the Burma Rifles during 1943-44.
Captain Saw Chit Kyin MC. This Karen born Burma Rifles officer was commander of the Guerrilla Platoon in Chindit Column 1 on Operation Longcloth. He went on to serve with the 2nd Battalion, the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment in second Chindit operation in 1944, this unit were part of Bernard Fergusson's 16th British Infantry Brigade.
Havildar Sein-U. This soldier went on to serve with the Kachin Levies in 1944. He returned from Operation Longcloth via Fort Hertz in September 1943, over 8 weeks later than many of his Chindit comrades. To read more about Sein U, please click on the following link and scroll down to the appropriate section on the page: Burma Rifle Citations
Lieutenant Ba Gyaw. Served with SOE during the Burma Campaign and was dropped behind enemy lines to help Major Seagrim and his Karen Levies in their resistance against the Japanese. Ba Gyaw was captured by the Japanese and executed alongside Major Seagrim at Kemmendine Cemetery (Rangoon) on the 14th September 1944.
Major Cecil Arthur Steevens MBE. This officer served with the Burma Rifles during 1943-44.
The group photograph seen below, shows a section of Kachin Levies who served on Operation Character, a SOE expedition in 1945. This unit of men was raised by British Special Forces in the hill tracts where they lived and were trained in the art of setting an ambush and the tactic of hit and run manoeuvres against the Japanese.
The following group of photographs are taken from the larger image (Officers of the 2nd Burma Rifles) shown at the beginning of this page. Apologies for the quality of the images presented. Please click on any photograph to bring it forward on the page.
Captain Francis Bertram Newbould MC. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Francis served with the first Chindit expedition in 1943, in 1944 he was attached to the 7th Leicestershire's as part of the 14th British Infantry Brigade. For his efforts in 1944 he was awarded the Military Cross.
Lieutenant William Daire Hardless MC. William was attached to a Gurkha column on Operation Thursday in 1944. His invaluable reconnaissance for the 111th Indian Infantry Brigade around the perimeter of the 'Blackpool' Block, allowed many of his fellow Chindits the chance to be evacuated from the stricken Chindit stronghold. Lieutenant Hardless was awarded the Military Cross for his endeavours.
Lieutenant H.G. Munro. A former resident of Rangoon, Lieutenant Munro had survived the arduous trek out from Burma in early 1942, after which he served with the Burma Rifles in 1944.
Lieutenant Peter Brian Neale. A cadet in 1942, alongside other men from the battalion, such as P.A.M. Heald, Peter Neale went on to serve with distinction in 1944.
The soldiers shown below are:
Kachin Levy, Sabaw Tu B.G.M.
Headman Zhing Htaw Naw. This man led a Kachin revolt against the Japanese in the Myitkhina area of Northern Burma. He worked with Major D.C Herring in 1943 and 1944, including assisting lost Chindits from Operation Longcloth find their way out to the safety of Allied held territory.
Jemadar Saw Lader. Nicknamed 'Sunshine' by his fellow Chindits in 1943, Saw Lader, from the Karen tribe in southern Burma, served in both Bernard Fergusson's 5 Column and the Burma Rifles Head Quarters on Operation Longcloth. After rapid promotions for his distinguished service on both Chindit expeditions he was awarded the Military Cross in 1944 whilst attached to 111th Indian Infantry Brigade.
The final photograph in this gallery shows Brigadier Wingate speaking with two of the Burma Riflemen from Operation Longcloth, the men were preparing to cross the Chindwin River in mid-February 1943.
Kachin Levy, Sabaw Tu B.G.M.
Headman Zhing Htaw Naw. This man led a Kachin revolt against the Japanese in the Myitkhina area of Northern Burma. He worked with Major D.C Herring in 1943 and 1944, including assisting lost Chindits from Operation Longcloth find their way out to the safety of Allied held territory.
Jemadar Saw Lader. Nicknamed 'Sunshine' by his fellow Chindits in 1943, Saw Lader, from the Karen tribe in southern Burma, served in both Bernard Fergusson's 5 Column and the Burma Rifles Head Quarters on Operation Longcloth. After rapid promotions for his distinguished service on both Chindit expeditions he was awarded the Military Cross in 1944 whilst attached to 111th Indian Infantry Brigade.
The final photograph in this gallery shows Brigadier Wingate speaking with two of the Burma Riflemen from Operation Longcloth, the men were preparing to cross the Chindwin River in mid-February 1943.
In 1961 Bernard Fergusson returned to Burma to retrace some of his Chindit steps and to revisit old friends. Seen below is a wonderful photograph of Captain Saw Lader's family from Fergusson's trip in 1961. Saw Lader was nicknamed 'Sunshine' in 1943, this was due to his unfailing positive personality and infectious smile.
Update 08/03/2020.
I was delighted to participate in a short email correspondence with Nhkum Brang Awng, who lives in Myanmar and whose grandfather, Nhkum Naw served on the Chindit expeditions. I am awaiting further details about Nhkum Naw's full WW2 service, but in the meantime, please see below, a photograph of the soldier in question and a further image of his fellow Army comrades from the Burma campaign. Please click on either image to bring it forward on the page.
I was delighted to participate in a short email correspondence with Nhkum Brang Awng, who lives in Myanmar and whose grandfather, Nhkum Naw served on the Chindit expeditions. I am awaiting further details about Nhkum Naw's full WW2 service, but in the meantime, please see below, a photograph of the soldier in question and a further image of his fellow Army comrades from the Burma campaign. Please click on either image to bring it forward on the page.
Copyright © Steve Fogden 2011.